Grassley (R-Ia) favors Johanns (R-Ne) for Senate (Hagel's seat)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

BY JAKE THOMPSON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has been dabbling in Nebraska politics, even if he doesn't always use the right pronunciation or get his way.

Grassley said Wednesday that he has a favorite to succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, who announced Monday that he won't seek re-election in 2008.

It's the former Nebraska governor, current U.S. agriculture secretary and Iowa native Mike Johanns, who is believed to be considering running for Hagel's seat.

"I hope that Secretary Johanns will leave the secretary's position," Grassley said in a conference call, pronouncing Johanns as "Jo-hawns," not "Jo-hans." President Bush made the same verbal misstep when he nominated Johanns for the agriculture job.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10130811

[Joe for Clark]

1. The truth is I do not want to see Hagel go.

I don't agree with him on a host of political issues I suppose. But those are internal to us as a country.

I do respect him. And this whole thing - all of it - is a great debate in the country of what to do. I want to see his voice there. He is a reasonable man in an unreasonable time.

It is not a labeling thing - the ability of our country to present different views and to come to reasonable conclusions - that makes us great. I don't have to agree with him to know that. It is the reasonable diversity that is important.

I do NOT want true conservatives wiped out - not the true ones. They have to be a part of the debate - it makes us who we are. Look at two sides and pick that which is best for all of us.

Joe

[TwilightGardener]

2. Very well-said, Joe. I agree with you--he's my Senator, and I hate to

see him go as well. Party affiliation aside, he's served Nebraska honorably, and was a forceful voice for sanity when we needed it most. Politicians like that are getting scarce anymore.

[azmesa207]

3. Grassley

should just retire and do the great state Of Iowa a enormous favor
he need to be replaced by a good democrat